Ryan Habbena is pastor of Conquering King Fellowship, in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. He also runs the Mount Moriah Foundation (which conducts semi-annual Israel tours) and Zera Biblical Films (which produces Biblical Docu-dramas.) He also serves on the board of directors for Echo Zoe Ministries. Ryan joins me in-studio, and brought with the fascinating topic of The Importance of the Transfiguration.
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Outline of the Discussion
- The Transfiguration is an event that has a ton of significance in understanding the whole counsel of God.
- The event makes more sense when looked at not only in it's immediate context, but within the scriptures as a whole.
- Examining the immediate context starts us off in Matthew 16 as Jesus takes the disciples to Caesarea Philippi (the base of Mount Hermon), where Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ.
- After the Confession, Jesus gives the definition of what that means to be the Christ.
- Continuing into the passage about the Transfiguration, the details are important. First of all, Jesus takes three disciples with him (Peter, James, & John.)
- The Transfiguration took place “on a high mountain.” We don't know which mountain that is, and are left to speculate. We believe it to be Mount Hermon, especially given the immediate context of having been in Caesarea Philippi just six days prior.
- The sets of three are significant. There are three witnesses: Peter, James, and John. There are three that testify of Jesus: God the Father, Moses, and Elijah.
- Other candidates for the mountain are Mt. Tabor in the Jezreel Valley, or Mt. Sinai. The latter is too distant to travel in six days without a miraculous explanation.
- The entirety of the Bible is represented by Moses, Elijah, and the fulfillment of all they taught: Jesus Christ.
- There's a major turning point in history during the Transfiguration as God the Father commands people everywhere to listen to His beloved Son.
- The Lord bestowed upon the Twelve Apostles the stewardship of the Word.
Scriptures Referenced
- Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9
- Matthew 16:13-20, 21, 27-28
- Matthew 17:1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Romans 8:3
- Isaiah 53
- Deuteronomy 18:15
- Hebrews 8
- 1 Peter 2:4
- 2 Peter 1:16-19
